I am mounting a ringneck duck. I would like to keep the natural head. Would it be better to try to skin the head out by pulling it through the neck, or should I split the head ? Thanks a lot. Don.
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The cost of an artificial head is less than $10.00 with the eyes included. It would be easier to do the cut along the bill and invert the head backwards. You're used to using the original head, because that's how you were taught. At worst case, use the original head using the same method as used for an artificial head, but rebuild the head with apoxy, cleaning the skull as if you were going to use clay. I can guarantee once you use this method you'll be one step closer to using an artificial head, which will dramatically improve the quality of your work if not for the lack of stitching alone.
You can cut from the ear hole back until you have enough to invert or cut on the bottom of the head, about at the middle of the eye, back until you have enough room to invert. Some people cut along the feather line at the bill, remove, clean and rebuild the skull, and then glue back. It's a matter of personal preference and where the incision will show the least. Since birds come in all shapes and sizes sometimes you will have to make modifications to the artifcial heads. For commercial or personal mounts it is MY OPINION and natural heads are fine. Part of learning is seeing what is best for you and not what someone tells you is bestl. Since you are a beginner try all methods and see what you prefer.